CHAMPIONSHIP pATHWAY FAQ'S

Qualifying lists are available at the links below from Wednesday 19th February. Please check the list to see which events you have qualified for?

NSW Little Athletics Championships (9-12’s)

NSW Junior Championships (13’sU14), 14’s (U15), 15’s (U16)

Lists will be available by Wednesday 19th February

It is important to note that all athletes must confirm their position and pay the entry fee to be entered in the competition. To clarify this process;

·         Successful athletes will receive an email by Wednesday, 19th February from NSW Athletics.

·         The email will contain instructions and a link to a confirmation portal.

·         Athletes must complete their details in the portal and pay the entry fee.

·         Once that’s done, athletes are officially in the competition and should expect further instructions via email.

16's (U17) - U20

Direct Entry is available here 

13’s (U14), 14’s (U15), 15’s (U16) – born 2012-2010

The following events are available for direct entry, with no qualification standard or previous progression required. All athletes who enter by the closing date will be accepted;

• Hammer Throw
• Pole Vault
• Steeplechase – 14’s (U15) & 15’s (U16)
• 3000m Walk*
• 14s (Under 15) 100m Hurdles (84cm)*
• 15s (Under 16) 100m Hurdles (84cm)*

Direct entry is available here . No other events, other than those listed above will be available for direct entry

* note that athletes cannot enter both these events and the 1500m Walk or Boys 14s (under 15) 100m Hurdles (76cm), Boys 15’s (under 16) 100m Hurdles (76cm)

9-12’s

All athletes will need to have progressed via Region Championships or otherwise received an exemption. There are no direct entries.

1. The confirmation process aims to reduce scratching’s and withdrawals, which in turn can assist in inviting other athletes to participate. 
2. There’s an entry fee and the confirmation process in place to ensure that all athletes who have qualified complete their payment. This makes sure that only those fully confirmed and committed are included in the event.

Little Athletics State Championships have not previously had an entry fee for participation, though a gate fee has been charged for both athletes and spectators. As a result,  these events have been historically delivered at a financial loss. What this means, is that the organisation has subsidised these events from the membership fees collected by all 40,000+ members.  As we move forward and deliver events in partnership, we strive to continue to deliver quality competition products while improving financial sustainability. Over time the aim is to provide a level of equity across all age groups with a required and standardised entry fee for all state competitions.

It is also important to note that entry fees go towards a number of initiatives, including the rollout of Athletic Live and ensuring the recognition of volunteer technical officials through the paid officiating scheme.

Confirmation is due to be received by successful athletes by the 26th February. After this date, any available positions will be offered to the next best athletes as per the entry regulations. Athletes will be contacted, please do not contact the Little Athletics or Athletics NSW office.

Exemptions are available under very strict conditions.

To apply please click on this link. Please read section 10 of the entry regulations available here.

Athletes are able to enter but will be required to follow both processes to ensure they have entered all the events.

For events qualified via the progression: Please follow the instructions you receive in the email with further instructions and the confirmation link.

For the Direct Entry events: Please use the direct entry portal here to enter these events.

For clarity, you will need to enter via two (2) separate portals. 

Please let us know at your earliest convenience via the form available here.

Under the partnership, all clubs/centres are now eligible for all competition properties.

Clubs/centre are no longer distinguished by their affiliation to Little Athletics NSW or Athletics NSW. Athletes from all clubs/centre can enter the competition pathway and the Zone & Region Championships (provided they are age eligible).

The list of Zones and Region allocations are available here.

The dates of the Zone and Region Championships are here.

Athletes in the 16’s (U17), 17’s (U18), Under 20, Open and Masters age groups can still enter their relevant state Championships directly, without the need to progress from Zone and Region Championships.

No, all athletes must hold an eligible membership with a NSW Athletics club/centre.

7’s – 12’s

* Junior Relay will consist of 4 athletes (one athlete from 9’s, 10’s, 11’s and 12’s)

• 12’s may be replaced by a 9, 10 or 11
  - 11’s may be replaced by a 9 or 10
  - 10’s may be replaced by a 9

13’s (Under 14) – 17’s (Under 18)

**Senior Relay will consist of 4 athletes (one athlete 13’s (U14), 14’s (U15), 15’s (U16) and 16’s (U17) OR 17’s (U18)

• 16’s (U17) OR 17’s (U18) may be replaced by a 13 (U14), 14 (U15) or 15 (U16)
  - 15’s (U16) may be replaced by a 13 (U14) or 14 (U15)
  - 14’s (U15) may be replaced by a 13 (U14)

The following events are not offered in the pathway (including at Zone or Region), however still offered at the State Championships.

**Athletes in the 12’s age group may enter the Hammer Throw & Pole Vault via direct entry

Athletes enter these events directly at State Championships. There are no prerequisites (standards or qualifying) for these events. Any number of athletes can compete

Only in Certain events. These events are;

**Athletes in the 12’s age group may enter the Hammer Throw & Pole Vault via direct entry

All other events, in the 9’s, 10’s,11’s, 12’s, 13’s (U14), 14’s (U15), 15’s (U16) athletes cannot direct enter the Junior or Little Athletics Championships. They must progress via the entry rules available here.

Athletes in the 16’s (U17), 17’s (U18), Under 20, Open and Masters age groups can still enter their relevant state Championships directly, without the need to progress from Zone or Region Championships

Entries for the Zone Championships are taken via the affiliated club/centre. Athletes are encouraged to contact their club/centre to enquire about entry process and entry prices.

Each Zone/club/centre fee varies. Please contact your club/centre to find further details relevant to your Zone. 

Either. However, you can only compete in one Zone Championships. Once you do, you must follow the pathway to Region and State from that Zone Championships.

You cannot switch clubs/centres and participate in two different Zone Championships, or follow two different pathways

The following maximum number of events will apply;

• A maximum of four (4) athletes from each Centre/Club (or a greater number at the discretion of the
  zone) may be entered in each event in the 7’s-11’s age groups and no athlete may contest more than
  four (4) events, excluding relays.
• In the 12’s- 17’s (U18), there are no restrictions on the number of athletes a Centre/Club may enter in
  an event; however, no athlete may contest more than six (6) events, excluding relays
• For Para events, athletes in the 9’s/10’s age group may compete in a maximum of four (4) events;
  athletes in the 11-12’s may compete in a maximum of five (5) events; and athletes in the 13-14’s (u15)
  and 15’s-17’s (U18) may compete in a maximum of six (6) events

There will be no entries available on the day.

Questions on the event are best directed to your local club/centre.

Timetables are available from this page once ready for publication. When entry lists are available, they will also be available on this page.

Different zones will construct their timetables differently. Some will be ‘timed’ carnivals, i.e carnivals that have a published start time for each event. Others will be ‘not before’ timetables where each event will have a published time that indicates the earliest possible time the event will be conducted. These will be labelled on the timetable for the respective Zone

The Rules of Competition (ROC) available here will assist you with rules around the Championships.

Yes, If you have been allocated a bib number by your Centre/Club, please ensure this is worn.

If you have not been allocated a bib (largely athletes representing a ‘senior’ club), you’ll be given one on the day. If you progress to region, please ensure this bib is retained for use at the Region Championships.

No, all implements must use the implements supplied in the ‘pool’ available for all athletes.

All events will be timed via the use of Photo Finish or timing gates.

Yes, medals will be awarded to 7's at all Zones. All other age groups will be awarded medals at the discretion of their Zone.

Once all Zones are completed, the entry lists for the Region Championships will be posted to this page. There is no official entry procedure. All athletes will be assumed confirmed and entered.

If there is a fee involved in entering the Regional Championships, your club/centre will contact you to arrange payment

The Region Championships dates and venues are available here.

The progression rules from Region to State are available here

In exceptional circumstances only, please read the entry regulations here for further details on the circumstances for which exceptions will be provided.

The timetable will be available here

All timetables are timed i.e carnivals that have a published start time for each event

Yes, If you have been allocated a bib number by your Centre/Club, please ensure this is worn. 

If you have not been allocated a bib (largely athletes representing a ‘senior’ club), you’ll be given one at the Zone Championships. If you progress to region, please ensure this bib is retained for use at the Region Championships.

Yes, Photo finish will be used for all Region Championships. 

No, All Zone and Region Championships are not ANSW permitted. 

A list of events that can be used are available here.

Yes, athletes who finish 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd will receive a medal for their performance.